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Category: News Headline

  • Thrissur’s ‘Mystery Box’ sparks viral curiosity

    Thrissur’s ‘Mystery Box’ sparks viral curiosity

    MUMBAI: In a bold and innovative move that’s turning heads in the advertising and sports marketing world, Thrissur Titans, one of the most followed franchises in the upcoming Kerala Cricket League, rolled out a unique pre-launch campaign built around a “Mystery Box”. Over a period of three days, this unbranded, cryptic installation kept appearing at key public spots across Thrissur, sparking widespread intrigue both on-ground and online.

    The campaign, conceptualised and executed by Emurge Sports and Popkon Creatives, was a meticulous blend of experiential guerrilla marketing and digital virality. The box travelled across the city from parks to tea shops, cultural landmarks to crowded junctions before finally making its way to the jersey unveiling venue, where a crowd of fans had gathered, drawn in by the growing speculation and curiosity.

    “The idea was simple but powerful: create a story the city can feel part of. We didn’t want just a just a cliched jersey reveal we wanted a shared moment, a city-wide participation in a build-up that felt like a live story unfolding in real time. In a time when every brand is screaming for attention, silence and suspense worked louder than noise for us.” said Vipin Nambiar, founder of Emurge Sports, the brand IP and strategy partner behind the Titans campaign.

    Candid content captured by the ground team showed passersby photographing, speculating, and even creating their own theories about the box’s purpose. This real-world engagement was mirrored online, with local influencers and fans joining the chatter turning the campaign into a case study on how to marry physical activations with digital storytelling.

    “For us, it was about triggering imagination. We didn’t plaster hoardings or do countdown posts. Instead, we placed a box. The audience did the rest,” added Ratheesh Menon, founder of Popkon Creatives.

  • Arena Animation announces World Creative Excellence League (WCEL)

    Arena Animation announces World Creative Excellence League (WCEL)

    MUMBAI: Arena Animation, a leader in animation, gaming, digital content creation, and VFX training and a brand of Aptech Limited, proudly announces the launch of the World Creative Excellence League (WCEL), a pioneering global creative competition platform for its students. Designed to encourage and celebrate artistic excellence among students, the inaugural edition of WCEL invites participation from students of Arena Animation from across the world. The competition, aiming to showcase creative talent on a large scale, marks a significant milestone in Arena Animation’s journey as a truly global creative education leader.

    Speaking about the new initiative, Sandip Weling, chief business officer, global retail business, Aptech Ltd and Brand Custodian, Arena Animation, said, “The World Creative Excellence League (WCEL) is more than just a competition; it is an outstanding platform that enables young creators to push their limits, gain recognition, and benchmark themselves against global creative standards. This initiative truly reflects Arena Animation’s long-standing commitment to nurturing creativity, innovation, and world class talent. By connecting students with international exposure and industry leaders, our aim is to build a talent pipeline for the future of the global creative economy.”

    Students participating in the WCEL are competing across 12 creative categories showcasing a wide range of skills. The categories range from Comic Design, Brand Identity Design, Motion Graphics, Cinematic Scenes (Unreal Engine), 3D CGI Advertising, to UI/UX Design, Short Story Reel and many more. The top 2 students in each category stand to win from a prize pool of INR 6,00,000. In its first edition, over 5,500 students have registered for the WCEL competition. In addition to individual student recognition, Arena Animation centres will also have the opportunity to earn the prestigious title of “WCEL Centre of Excellence”. The title will be awarded to centres that demonstrate outstanding participation and performance across multiple benchmarks in the competition, which includes highest number of students participants, maximum no. of qualified artwork submissions, the most nominations across categories and top winning entries. It’s a recognition of the passion, mentorship quality and the creative culture nurtured at these top performing Arena centres – setting benchmarks for others to follow.

    Participant entries comprise original artworks in their chosen categories highlighting the creative vision, skill, and storytelling abilities of Arena Animation students. All entries are judged by a Grand Jury comprising industry leaders and international experts, ensuring high standards of evaluation and global credibility. This elite panel brings diverse perspectives and ensures that the evaluation is aligned with global standards of creative excellence.

    Participating students also benefit from 12 exclusive masterclasses led by experienced mentors, helping them hone their skills conducted by brands such as Adobe, Pantone, and more.

    Arena Animation’s existing flagship event, Creative Minds, is also playing a vital role as a qualifying ground for the WCEL. The top artworks from each category at Creative Minds earn a direct spot, handpicked by the jury, into the WCEL. These jury picked entries are in addition to the top artworks from the primary categories, based on the quality of their artwork and skills of the students. These shortlisted students then compete at the international level, where one ultimate winner per category gets crowned.

  • ZEE5 makes its Malayalam original debut with ‘Kammatam’

    ZEE5 makes its Malayalam original debut with ‘Kammatam’

    MUMBAI: ZEE5 is rolling out the red carpet in Kerala, and it’s not for a romcom. The home-grown streaming giant is making its Malayalam original debut with Kammatam — a gritty, no-nonsense crime thriller inspired by a real-life murder that rattled Thrissur and the state at large.

    Premiering 29 August, the six-part investigative series is directed by Shan Thulasidharan and backed by 23 Feet Productions. It stars national award-winner Sudev Nair as circle inspector Antonio George — a man who smells something off when a planter’s suspicious “accident” scene doesn’t add up. A missing necklace, a dead auto driver with a shady past, and a mysterious two-wheeler later, and George finds himself knee-deep in a sinister web of lies, silence, and moral rot.

    Joining Nair is a powerhouse cast including Jins, Jeo Baby, Ajay Vaasudev, Akhil Kavalayoor, Arun Sol, Sreerekha, and Jordy Poonjaa. Together, they bring to life a story laced with betrayal, blood, and quiet rage — a far cry from your garden-variety whodunit.

    Set against the humid, brooding backdrop of Kerala’s heartland, Kammatam doesn’t just deliver on suspense — it unearths uncomfortable truths about complicity, conscience, and the cost of silence. ZEE5, which has been steadily expanding its regional footprint, is clearly not here to play it safe in the Malayalam market.

    Lloyd Xavier, senior vice president – marketing South and business Head – ZEE5 Tamil & Malayalam  said, “Kammatam exemplifies the compelling storytelling that defines Malayalam content, rooted, realistic and deeply engaging. Inspired by true events and set against the nuanced backdrop of small-town Kerala, the series delivers a gripping narrative with morally complex characters and sharp investigative drama. As we continue to strengthen our Malayalam slate, Kammatam reinforces our commitment to offering content that not only entertains but also reflects the cultural and emotional depth of the region.”

    Shan Thulasidharan, director of Kammatam said, “Kammatam is a grounded thriller built on real events that once shook a quiet town. The story draws its strength from the community’s closeness, yet secrets run deep. Filming in such an authentic setting allowed us to bring out the eerie normalcy that surrounds the unfolding mystery. We focused on telling a taut, character-driven story that feels real, unsettling, and deeply rooted in Kerala’s cultural fabric”

    One thing’s certain: with Kammatam, ZEE5 isn’t just dipping its toes into Malayalam content — it’s diving headfirst into the deep end. And it’s bringing the body count with it.

  • CoinSwitch unveils Creator Labs

    CoinSwitch unveils Creator Labs

    MUMBAI: CoinSwitch announced the launch of Creator Labs, the country’s first accelerator program for crypto content creators. The initiative aims to nurture a new wave of trustworthy, insightful, and consumer-first voices in the crypto space.

    India leads the world in grassroots crypto adoption, but credible content remains scarce. Only a few credible creators exist in space while misinformation thrives. Creator Labs is CoinSwitch’s answer to this gap: an intensive accelerator designed to equip aspiring creators with the tools, skills, and mindset to succeed, responsibly.

    “Creator Labs is our commitment to building a responsible crypto creator ecosystem in India. We are starting small but ambitious about where this can go,” said CoinSwitch co-founder Ashish Singhal.

  • The Body Shop and The Terra Co. launch purposeful Rakhi campaign

    The Body Shop and The Terra Co. launch purposeful Rakhi campaign

    MUMBAI : The Body Shop, a British-born ethical beauty brand, invites families to honour Rakhi tradition in a way that nurtures both relationships and the planet. This year, the brand strengthens its commitment to meaningful celebrations by partnering with The Terra Co., a homegrown brand focused on eco-friendly and innovative handmade creations. The collaboration marks another milestone in The Body Shop’s journey of responsible retail.

    At the heart of the campaign is a specially curated Rakhi Gift Box, co-created by The Body Shop India and The Terra Co. Thoughtfully designed to reflect the ethos of both brands, each box features Seed Rakhis handcrafted by women artisans, paired with The Body Shop’s nature-inspired beauty treats.

    The collaboration comes alive through the campaign film, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these Rakhis are made. The video captures women artisans carefully tying threads, adding seed details, and assembling the Rakhis into boxes — echoing the campaign message that this is more than a gift, it’s a lifeline for artisan families and a celebration of meaningful giving.

    The Body Shop Asia South, chief brand officer, Harmeet Singh said, “Rakhi is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of love, protection, and lasting promises. At The Body Shop, we see this occasion as a chance to deepen our purpose, making beauty more inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable. This year, our collaboration with The Terra Co brings that vision to life with gifts that grow and traditions that empower. Every Seed Rakhi is handcrafted by women and artisans, making each box a celebration of real stories and second chances. We hope families feel the joy of giving back to their loved ones, their community, and the earth.”

  • Gaurav Banerjee to chair CII media and entertainment council for 2025-26

    Gaurav Banerjee to chair CII media and entertainment council for 2025-26

    NEW DELHI:  Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has been named chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s national media and entertainment council for 2025-26. The move signals CII’s push to turbocharge the M&E sector’s global competitiveness with a focus on policy reform, skilling, tech-creative innovation and inclusive growth.

    Banerjee, who also chairs BARC India, steps into the role at a time when India’s media and entertainment engine is revving up to be a $100bn juggernaut—fuelled by AI, VFX, and a hungry Gen Z audience. His mandate? Drive trust, sharpen policy, and make “Create in India” the global gold standard.

    “At a time when the world is looking to India for inspiration, our M&E industry is uniquely positioned to reflect our cultural ethos while shaping global narratives,” said Banerjee. “We need frameworks that empower innovation, creative-tech and opportunity—without compromising trust or accountability.”

    As council chair, Banerjee will double down on four key levers:

    * Policy and regulation: Partnering with government to streamline norms, fight piracy, and foster a level playing field.
    * Tech meets creativity: Embracing AI, AR/VR and automation to supercharge content quality, personalisation and productivity.
    * Skill-building: Rolling out future-ready courses via the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies to upskill youth in animation, VFX and immersive storytelling.
    * Going global: Backing Indo-foreign co-productions and showcasing Indian stories to the world with tech muscle and cultural soul.

    The CII council under Banerjee will act as a bridge between industry, academia and government—taking on thorny issues like fair monetisation, content ethics, data privacy and equitable tech access. Expect sharp focus on regulating generative AI without stifling innovation.

    A filmmaker by training and former journalist at Aaj Tak, Banerjee brings over two decades of experience to the table. At SPNI, he has been the force behind bold content bets and digital pivots—balancing creative risk with fiscal discipline.

    His new role is likely to give India’s M&E sector the push it needs to move from scale to stature on the global stage.

  • Ankit Saxena dials into Oppo for a brand-new chapter

    Ankit Saxena dials into Oppo for a brand-new chapter

    MUMBAI: Ankit Saxena, digital media maven and veteran of the agency circuit, has made the jump from campaign chaos to client-side calm, joining Oppo after more than 12 years of brand wizardry.

    Saxena has spent the last decade sharpening brands and slinging strategy at speed. From FMCG and e-commerce to edtech and entertainment, he’s been the man behind the media curtain at marquee names like Swiggy, Instamart, Puma, and V-Guard. Most recently, he helmed regional digital media ops at Havas, with earlier stints at Dentsu Isobar, WATConsult, and Liqvd Asia.

    Now, at Oppo, he’s expected to bring that same blend of performance and purpose, only with fewer all-nighters and a stronger coffee.

     

  • Amit Sobti takes charge as president of Humans of Bombay

    Amit Sobti takes charge as president of Humans of Bombay

    MUMBAI: Amit Sobti has been appointed president at Humans of Bombay, the storytelling platform that has built a loyal following with its human interest narratives. In his new role, Sobti will oversee company operations and strategy, with a mandate to drive profitability, expand partnerships and monetise original IPs.

    Sobti, a revenue architect with two decades across digital media and corporate strategy, most recently served as chief revenue officer at Fork Media group, where he spent over 11 years scaling businesses, creating branded content ecosystems and building new revenue streams.

    Earlier, he held senior roles at Media Pro, JSW Ispat Steel and Reliance Broadcast, contributing to high stakes strategy, marketing innovations and large scale partnerships. Known for designing playbooks that blend innovation with legacy, Sobti says his focus now lies in building consumer first growth models.

    At Humans of Bombay, industry watchers expect Sobti to marry commercial acumen with the platform’s storytelling ethos, as it looks to expand both reach and revenues.

  • Ratheesh MS joins Starcom as vice president after long GroupM stint

    Ratheesh MS joins Starcom as vice president after long GroupM stint

    MUMBAI: Advertising veteran Ratheesh MS has taken charge as vice president at Starcom, the media agency under Publicis Groupe. His appointment follows a brief spell at WPP Media and a near decade with GroupM’s Motivator, where he rose to general manager.

    Ratheesh has built a reputation for steering high profile accounts across auto, telecom, e commerce, insurance and consumer goods. His career spans over 19 years with stints at ZenithOptimedia, Wavemaker, Carat, Lintas Media, MPG Group, Malayala Manorama and Infomedia.

    Among his proudest milestones: conceptualising India’s first car night rally for Maruti Suzuki’s Swift, delivering double digit growth for Jabong.com, and leading Honda Cars’ media win in a multi agency pitch.

    At Starcom, Ratheesh is expected to bring his trademark blend of disruptive growth strategy and meticulous media planning to fuel the agency’s next phase of expansion.

  • Anuj Sahai exits Peak XV, sets sights on fresh ventures in AI and startups

    Anuj Sahai exits Peak XV, sets sights on fresh ventures in AI and startups

    BENGALURU: After a two-year stint as chief product officer at Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India & SEA), Anuj Sahai is charting a new course. Sahai, who announced his exit this week, said the role offered him a ringside view of the startup ecosystem and hands-on experience with artificial intelligence.

    Sahai, who has held senior posts at Walmart Global Tech, Ola, Flipkart, Payback and Yahoo!, is now advising early-stage founders on tech stacks, workflows and agentic AI. “I’ll be recharging and reflecting over the next few months while exploring new opportunities,” he said, inviting connections from entrepreneurs and investors alike.

    Over a two-decade career, Sahai has built a track record of scaling digital businesses: he led Walmart’s US marketplace product team to a significant share of e-commerce revenues, launched Flipkart’s advertising platform into India’s No 2 ad business within 15 months, and forged landmark partnerships for Ola Play.

    For now, the industry will be watching which venture the product veteran picks as his next big play.